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Published: December 19th 2005
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Singapore
The Singapore Skyline...weather was a bit rubbish! Ok, so the big adventure has started and my 1st stop is Singapore...been a bit slack in writing this travel blog, but always knew I would be!
I've done loads of sight seeing since I arriving...
Weds 23rd My first proper day... I went to Sentosa Island a man made paradise for Singaporeans to escape to in the summer and at weekends! it's almost like a theme park where everything has been designed for tourism and to make as much money as possible! I, being the marketers' dream spent loads of money on the island and saw most of the attractions - the Carlsberg Sky Tower, with "probably the best views of Singapore" - their phrase not mine - although it did make me chuckle!
Went up to the head of the Merlion, the symbol of Singapore, for another great view, also went on the Sentosa Luge (vodka not included!) - going down a hill v fast in a sleigh type thing - which was great!!
Also saw images of Singapore which talked through the history of Singapore...quite interesting, if a little twee!
Could have also gone to the butterfly park but decided against
Sentosa Island Beach
Imported sand...but still pretty! it as I think butterflies are quite creepy (in the same way I find mushrooms a bit evil!)
Went down to Boat Quay that evening to have dinner with Laili (Body Pump Instructor from Esporta!) and her boyfriend Andrew - lovely couple - Laili is my sightseeing companion for the next few days whilst Andrew is studying. Anyway, the meal was incredible - chilli crab with pineapple rice - hmmm it was heaven!
Came back to the hostel and ended up chatting to 2 Aussies till 3am - they were heading off to India for a few months before heading to Europe.
Met a few nice people at the hostel. I think it's such a transient place but with my attention span that's good as I don't have to spend too much time with people, but then at the same time it's quite annoying cuz you find someone quite interesting and want to get to know more about them and then you find out they're buggering off the next day!
Thursday 24th Today I went down to Orchard Road by MRT (I'm getting quite used to this public transport thing - the MRT is the
Rope Bridge
Me walking across the rope bridge to the southern most tip of South East Asia! local underground thing - bit like the tube in London, but cleaner, more efficient and cheap! - so in actual fact not like London transport at all!!). Orchard Road is shopping heaven, but obviously (for the benefit of my parents who may be reading this) I didn't buy anything! There were so many shops on this one road - a bit like Oxford Street, but cleaner and less crowded!
After a while I got bored of walking around and not being able to buy anything, so we (Laili and I) thought we'd try a local market selling handicrafts and stuff - went to a place called Lau Pa Sat - the largest Victorian Filigree cast iron structure left in South East Asia - but it turned out it only sold food! But it was an amazing place, so many different hawker stalls selling all kinds of food and sooo cheap as well - it was a seething mass of people - offfice workers on their lunch break.
Had a massive plate of exotic fruit for lunch for about $3.50 (less than 1.50GBP - couldn't find the pound button on the keyboard!)
Went on a river boat cruise past
Southern Most Point Of the Asia Continent
Me at the southern most point of Asia Continent! the Merlion, Esplanade, Boat and Clarke Quay . The Singapore skyline is quite amazing from the river - got off at Thomas Stamford Raffles' statue and walked along the Pedang (cricket ground and pavillion) towards Raffles City Plaza - yet another shopping centre, before heading off to the famous Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling.
It's v weird, we walked in and just thought, oh my god, it's full of tourists like us, ordering S Slings...and the floor was covered in peanut shells! - don't ask!!
Although the hotel itself is wonderful, classy and full of colonial charm, the Long Bar just felt tacky and was just there as a tourist attraction - and at $20 a drink it felt like a tourist rip off!!
Quickly moved on from there back to the hostel to get ready to meet Laili and Andrea for greek dinner with INSEAD students (brainy mature students studying for their MBA!)
Going back to the title - I'm still finding it all a bit weird cuz I keep thinking this is so different to what I should be doing...working!!
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Yuks
non-member comment
fun,fun,fun,fun!
Hi Dinh!You look like you're having the time of you're life! You look great and still healthy,and the food looks delicious!The place looks fantastic,just shame the weather was not great for you. You are so funny Dinh you're journal was so entertaining! Please keep writing and taking pictures cos it's lovely to hear from you and to see what you are doing! Take care and keep meeting lots of people,just be carefull. Luv lots Yuksxxxx